Mark brought up a good point while I was dreaming about geraniums...how fast do the deer eat them?  

I guessed:  as fast as you can plant them.  Not true!!

 

I've learned a few things...

 

They generally don't eat strongly scented plants, like geraniums.  Also consider growing:

    Rosemary, oregano, marigolds, lavender, verbena, lemon balm, lemongrass.

Other plants on the deer dislike menu are:

    Columbine, coneflower, peonies, foxglove, holly, rhododendron.

I'm sure there are others, but this list may help.

 

Of course, you can fence your plants, or apply stinky spray, but you can also plant away from tree lines and hedgerows and other places you see the deer hanging out.  I have a friend who just plants extra because she knows they are going to be eaten.  And truthfully, when deers' natural food sources aren't available, they'll eat anything, (read:  everything).

 

They WERE here first, and we do love seeing them up close,

so we just need to be smarter than they are:  plant what they don't like.  ????